Rockaway Fisheads Sink To Mud Turtles

By Alan Shaw

Last Saturday, the Rockaway Fisheads lost a defensive battle with the Union Mud Turtles in New Jersey. The match was hard fought and was decided in the final minutes.

Rockaway took an early 3-0 lead with a penalty kick by Hooker Marcus B. The game was back and forth with a lot of whistle action from the referee. “If only the ref let the players play, we might have had an interesting match,“ said a spectator. The whistle interruptions reminded everyone of the “TA Fitzpatrick Days” when TA refereed and he became the main attraction … or tried to be.

After three missed penalty kicks by Union, the Rockaway Fisheads held onto a 3-0 lead until the 70th minute.

With 10 minutes to go and Union knocking within the 10 meter line, the opposing 8-man picked up and went weak side only to drop the ball forward into the try zone twice.

Since the referee was on the other side and out of position, the 8-man stayed with the ball, waited, and was awarded an undeserving score.

This chain of events changed momentum and took Rockaway out of the match. Union scored another try and PK and won the hard fought victory 15-3.

Rockaway’s next match is at Bayonne this Saturday at 1 p.m. That game will be followed by Irish Day at the Long Beach Cabana, which features Shilelagh Law at 5 p.m.

Rugger Pluggers: Mike Lugano’s new kicking play is designed for the Rockaway’s speedy forwards ... “Raoul” is a play which is an up and under into the corner for the forwards to catch and score. Problems arose amongst the ranks. The problem wasn’t the speed of the forwards ... it’s the fact that play was named after Mike’s “stimulant” dealer.

Fact: Tim Kelly has played every minute of every A & B Game this season. Half game guys, take notice. Oakie’s retirement party was being planned, but nobody knows if he’s really retired or waiting for his sons to get old enough to experience the “clothesline” play. Overheard on the sidelines